Corwin Anthony Hawkins (1965 - 1994)

Born 12 Mar 1965 in Houston, Harris, Texas, United States

Ancestors

Died 5 Aug 1994 at age 29 in Dallas, Dallas, Texas, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Emily Murer [send private message]

Biography

Corwin Hawkins is a part of US Black heritage.

Corwin was born the eldest child of Wilbert and Joyce Mae (Hilaire) Hawkins. He attended St. Peter's Catholic School and graduated in 1982. Corwin stood 5'9".^[1] In college, Corwin was a cheerleader. He was ushered into the Dallas nightclub scene by Lone Star drag empress Tommie Ross.^[2]

Corwin was well known throughout Texas for his hilarious two hour stand up comedy routine which he performed in front of standing room only crowds every Tuesday night for four years. His many memorable characters like Kelly Kelly, Debra Debra, Fanisha Poontane, and Miku Waka, were favorites to Dallas residents. Corwin also impersonated many famous stars like Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, Mariah Carey, and, of course, Grace Jones. Many stars attended Corwin's show while visiting Dallas, including Keith Carradine, Lucy Arnaz, and Grace Jones. Another trademark of Corwin's shows was his use of a DJ and sound effects to enhance his improvisational comedy bits.^[3]

Corwin actually earned the moniker for his alter-ego, Amazing Grace, by working as a body double for Grace Jones album covers and music videos.^[4] Amazing Grace was known on the stand up comedy circuit as a drag queen who gave audiences "a woman's perspective from a man's point of view."^[5]

Corwin held the attention of the audience throughout every improvised performance, with many wardrobe changes of beautiful dresses and expensive shoes. As Amazing Grace, Corwin went against the grain with wardrobe. Opting against the traditional long, flowing, evening gowns that were prevalent to many female impersonators of the day, Amazing Grace was known for her immaculate bobbed hairstyle, Chanel suits, and Ferragamo shoes. The look was less pageant queen and more ladies who lunch. This look was a clever contrast to the wild, untamed fireball comedy that would unfold over the course of a show.^[6]

Corwin won many female impersonator competitions. In 1991, as Amazing Grace, he was crowned Miss Gay Texas. The next year he took the title of Texas Entertainer of the Year and went on to capture the 1992 National Entertainer of the Year title in Louisville, Kentucky. For the talent portion, Corwin performed his stand-up comedy routine, unusual in a pageant where most participants generally lip-synch.^[7]

In the early '90s, gay female impersonators rarely crossed over to mainstream entertainment - this was before RuPaul's "Supermodel" sashayed onto the scene. But Corwin's comedy earned accolades outside of Dallas.^[8] Corwin was discovered by Keenan Ivory Wayans while appearing on HBO's Def Comedy Jame and BET's Comic View, one of the few professional female impersonators ever featured on those shows. Corwin was offered and accepted the role of Wayman in Wayans' feature film, A Low Down Dirty Shame. The part was originally written for Ms. RuPaul. Corwin was also awarded an invitational tryout at the L.A. Improv.^[9]

Corwin was next tapped for a role in the next Wayans Brothers' project, the 1996 comedy, "Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood". Unfortunately, complications from AIDS sidelined him during the film's rehearsal period.^[10] Not much is known about Corwin's battle with HIV/AIDS, as the family did not talk about this aspect of his life.^[11] Corwin passed away at Baylor Hospital from pneumonia at the age of 29, approximately three months before A Low Down Dirty Shame was released.^[12][13] The film is dedicated to Corwin's memory.^[14] He is buried in Houston Memorial Gardens, Pearland, Texas.^[15]

Corwin's memory was honored during Dallas Southern Pride in 2006, as three female illusionists took the stage with an evening of laughs called, "Drag Queens of Comedy: A Tribute to Amazing Grace".^[16]

Sources

1. ↑ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0370100/bio
2. ↑ https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth238928/m1/52/
3. ↑ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0370100/bio
4. ↑ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0370100/
5. ↑ https://www.fandango.com/people/corwin-hawkins-283803/biography
6. ↑ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0370100/bio
7. ↑ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0370100/bio
8. ↑ https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth238928/m1/52/
9. ↑ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0370100/bio
10. ↑ https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth238928/m1/53/
11. ↑ as remembered by my husband, Corwin's first cousin
12. ↑ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0370100/bio
13. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Low_Down_Dirty_Shame
14. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/Corwin-Hawkins-220252488004884/
15. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10066343/corwin-anthony-hawkins
16. ↑ https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth238928/m1/52/

• My mother-in-law